| Introduction | | | | What to journal? |
| The word journal comes from the French | | | | Write more than daily accountings, I got up, I went to |
| “jour” which means day. Journaling each | | | | work, I came home is not journaling. Add thoughts, |
| day is having a visit with your best friend, you. | | | | questions and revelations. |
| This ancient practice dates back to the 10th century | | | | Write about your: |
| Japan. Successful people throughout history have kept | | | | 1. Inspirations |
| journals. | | | | 2. Questions |
| Journaling has a positive impact on your well being. | | | | 3. Revelations |
| James Pennebaker, researcher, states that writing | | | | 4. Commitments |
| strengthens the immune system and decreases | | | | 5. What you’ve done to help someone else? |
| symptoms of asthma and arthritis. He also states that | | | | 6. What you’ve learned? |
| writing about stressful things helps you come to grips | | | | 7. What’s your biggest mistake? |
| with them and thus reduces stress in your life. | | | | 8. Confusing issues |
| Journaling is a chance to explore ideas in an | | | | 9. Gratitude |
| unstructured environment. | | | | It’s your story. It’s your feelings, ideas, |
| Christina Baldwin: | | | | thoughts and dreams. The stuff that makes up your |
| “Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.” | | | | life. That’s what you write about. |
| Who should journal? | | | | Reflect on what happens in your life, track events, look |
| 1. Anyone who aspires to write | | | | for patterns. Discover - become aware. |
| 2. Anyone who wants to capture feelings and insights | | | | Remember - it’s your journal. You get to |
| 3. Anyone who wants healing of mind and body | | | | choose what’s important to you. That’s |
| 4. Anyone who is trying to solve problems | | | | Journaling. |
| 5. Anyone who wants to find them selves | | | | How to journal? |
| Why journal? | | | | Get a pencil and pad or a three-ring notebook, or |
| Scientific evidence supports that Journaling, accesses | | | | something fancy. |
| the left brain, the analytical brain. While it is busy, the | | | | Please no computers. |
| right brain is free to create. | | | | You cannot achieve the mind, hand, soul connection |
| Writing clears mental blockages and allows you to | | | | with a computer. |
| understand your self. | | | | Jump start you writing by writing three things |
| Journaling every day will: | | | | you’re grateful for, or write three goals, three |
| 1. Clarify your thoughts. It is amazing how much clarity I | | | | wants or three best qualities. Just start. |
| find in writing. There is power in the connection of the | | | | Commit to a time to journal. |
| brain, the pen, and the pad. | | | | Do you care who reads it? Decide if you want to |
| You cannot get the same benefit from journaling with | | | | secure it or not. |
| your computer as you do by real writing. | | | | Twenty Benefits of Journaling |
| 2. Helps you examine feelings. I get moments of clarity | | | | 1. It reduces stress |
| about situations that have been confusing. | | | | 2. Helps you stay focused and organized |
| 3. Reduce stress. Start writing. You’ll experience | | | | 3. Helps you sort out your thinking |
| release and calmness. Writing quiets mind chatter. | | | | 4. Serves as a reminder |
| 4. Find solutions to problems. I’ve had AHA | | | | 5. Improves your sense of well-being |
| moments while writing. Somehow the creative right | | | | 6. Helps clear your mind |
| brain comes up with answers. | | | | 7. Improves a sense of gratitude |
| 5.Lets you resolve disagreements. More often than not | | | | 8. Promotes healing |
| when I’m in disagreement with someone, it is I | | | | 9. Enhances life |
| that need to change; writing helps me adjust my | | | | 10. Generates creative ideas |
| attitude. | | | | 11. Helps you understand yourself |
| 6. Help you get to know yourself. The more I visit with | | | | 12. Makes sense - increases perspective |
| my best friend, through journaling, the more I come to | | | | 13. Brings joy and humor |
| know and like myself. | | | | 14. Increases sensitivity |
| Unknown: | | | | 15. Improves relationships with yourself and others |
| “ I fall back on this journal just as some other | | | | 16. Clears mental blockage |
| poor devil takes to drink.” | | | | 17. Allows better understanding of self |
| When to journal? | | | | 18. Leads you toward peace of mind |
| 1. Morning or evening any committed time. I prefer | | | | 19. Promotes self discipline |
| morning when my dreams are still fresh. I combine | | | | 20. Enhances spiritual growth |
| journal time with meditation and spiritual reading. | | | | Summary |
| 2. Evening is a good time. You can reflect on your day | | | | There is no better way to get acquainted with yourself |
| and how you behaved. | | | | then by Journaling. |
| 3. Writing twice a day morning and evening is best of | | | | It is time spent with yourself where you can collect |
| all worlds. Try it for a week. You’ll like the | | | | your thoughts, sort out confusion, find focus, open up |
| results. | | | | your spirituality. |
| 4. Many people jot down thoughts and feelings | | | | No one is judging your writing. There is great benefit |
| throughout the day. That’s fine too. | | | | and comfort in journaling. It is a powerful time of |
| The important thing is to write in your journal every | | | | reflection. A time to know yourself. It’s also |
| day. Make it a habit. | | | | cheap therapy. |